KOH SAMUI, Thailand: The murder trial of Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, son of renowned Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, commenced on Tuesday on the Thai island of Koh Samui. Daniel Sancho is accused of killing Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on nearby Koh Pha Ngan.
Sancho, a chef, pleaded not guilty during a hearing in November but has been in pre-trial detention since August. The trial, which began amidst media attention with Spanish reporters flying in despite restricted access to the courtroom, is expected to last until mid-May.
According to police, Sancho admitted to hiding Arrieta’s body but denies a charge of destroying the victim’s passport. Under Thai law, premeditated murder carries the death penalty, though Arrieta’s family has expressed opposition to seeking this penalty.
The relationship between Sancho and Arrieta reportedly began on Instagram in 2022, with Sancho visiting Thailand as a tourist in July. Police discovered body parts believed to belong to Arrieta in early August at a rubbish dump in Koh Pha Ngan.
The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and the trial is set to involve numerous witnesses. Sancho’s lawyer confirmed his client’s appearance in court but declined further comment, while the public prosecutor involved in the case also refrained from speaking to the media.
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